Rev. Barnaby’s homily looked at main themes from pre-Covid Christmases and ask what comes next; lots of special music.

Access the live service on Zoom by clicking on https://www.zoom.us/my/cvuusservice at 5:30 pm on the 24th.

or watch on YouTube, same time

Order of Service

Welcome   Rev. Barnaby Feder

Musical Prelude     Luke 2:1-7, read by Kate Gridley and Stille, Stille, Stille German carol, Trad. Kate Gridley, piano, and Amy Mason, flute    

Call to Worship   Matthew 1: 18-23    Rev. Barnaby

O Come, O Come Emmanuel  sung by Kiena Williams

Lighting the Chalice   Rev. Barnaby and Poppy Rees, Dir. of Religious Exploration     

        We come together once more to hear an ancient story

        With fresh ears and open hearts:

        The story of Love born and reborn among us,

        Delivered by strangers in need of shelter

        To that spirit in each of us which prays for grace,

        Clings to hope and longs to blossom.

Anthem    Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming  by Michael Praetorius, words trans. sung by CVUUS Choir,  Lucy Tenenbaum, dir.; compiled for Zoom by Eric Maier

Reading   Luke 1:26-38    Fernanda Canales                       

Reading and Music – Magnificat words by Lynn Ungar, music Margie Bekoff, read by Esther Thomas, harp Margie Bekoff                 

Reading  Luke 2:8-20    Heidi Sulis and Rev. Barnaby

Hymn  God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Trad. sung by Kenneth Hartman

Offering    In the Bleak Midwinter Variations

As is our tradition, our Christmas Eve donations will go to Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty’s Effects). Our donee has been creating, administering, and working with diverse anti-poverty programs in Addison County for over 50 years.

Song  Mary’s Boy Child by Jester Hairston, sung by Francois S. Clemmons; music Kate Gridley

Reading   Matthew 2:1-12    Becky Strum

Homily   Christmas Future    Rev. Barnaby Feder

Lighting of Candles   The Congregation

Hymn     Silent Night              

Benediction   Rev. Barnaby

Postlude  We Wish You a Merry Christmas   Chuck Miller                          

Thanks to our “Stream Team” Richard Hopkins and Rich Wolfson, our readers,  our wonderful performers including the CVUUS Choir and all our attendees.

Christmas Morning Zoom Coffee Hour

Our social hour was at 9 am Christmas morning for gentle visiting, especially for those alone on this day. Those from other Vermont congregations were invited.